Head and horn protector

ABSTRACT

An improved head and horn protector having a unitary left side head pad and left rear horn pad as well as a unitary right side head pad and right rear horn pad. A left bridging pad has a left bridging pad linear segment of protective material attached to the pad, with a first end connected to the left rear horn pad near an inner edge of the left rear horn pad and a second end preferably attached only to a rear end of the left bridging pad. A right bridging pad is constructed similarly. On each rear horn pad a looped keeper is preferably attached to and angled across each rear horn pad in order to facilitate maintaining a desired length of the bridging pad within such looped keeper. And the lower portion of each horn pad linear segment is used to protect side head pad linear segments and guides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to protective gear to be placed on the head,neck, and horns of cattle that are to be roped.

2. Description of the Related Art

A number of devices exist for protecting cattle from being injuredduring the process of roping them.

Until the advent of the protector described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,707,however, the available protective devices employed multiple straps andmultiple pads, making them inconvenient to utilize.

The device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,707, though, employs only a singlestrap 34.

Two side head pads 14, 16 are made of thick, soft padding material tolie along opposite sides of the head of the animal without impeding itsvision.

Extension 18 projects from the upper rear of side head pad 14 in orderto extend across the front of a first horn of the animal. Rear horn pad22 overlaps a portion of side head pad 14 and also projects from theupper middle of side head pad 14 to extend across the rear of such firsthorn. In use, the free end of extension 18 and the free end of rear hornpad 22 overlap at the upper portion of the horn protector 10. A loweredge 40 of a bridging pad 42 overlies the juncture of extension 18 andside head pad 14 and extends upward therefrom with a first end attachedto the rear horn pad 22 and a second end connected to extension 18.

Similarly, extension 20 projects from the upper rear of side head pad 16in order to extend across the front of a second horn of the animal. Rearhorn pad 24 overlaps a portion of side head pad 16 and also projectsfrom the upper middle of side head pad 16 to extend across the rear ofsuch second horn. In use, the free end of extension 20 and the free endof rear horn pad 24 overlap at the upper portion of the horn protector10. A lower edge 44 of a bridging pad 46 overlies the juncture ofextension 20 and side head pad 16 and extends upward therefrom with afirst end attached to the rear horn pad 24 and a second end connected toextension 20. (In viewing FIG. 4 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,707 and readingthe text in lines 12 through 26 of column 2, it is evident that rearhorn pad 24 has not been correctly portrayed in FIG. 4.)

Each side head pad 14, 16; each rear horn pad 22, 24; each extension 18,20 (as shown but not explicitly described); and each bridging pad 42, 46is backed with a heavy webbing material “ . . . that will give the padsa measure of rigidity and that will resist the abrasion of a rope . . .”

A web loop keeper 58 extends along rear horn pad 22 near the end of rearhorn pad 22; and a similar web loop keeper 60 extends along rear hornpad 24 near the end of rear horn pad 22.

Attached to the free end of extension 18 is a buckle 30; and connectedto the free end of extension is a strap.

Lines 44 through 51 in column 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,707 explain thatguides 62 and 64 “extend from close to the upper edges 66 and 68,respectively, of side head pads 14 and 16, respectively, to locationsclose to lower edges 70 and 72, respectively, of the side head pads 14and 16. The guides 62 and 64 are also preferably made of durable webmaterial and are sewn lengthwise along their opposite side edges to theside head pads.”

Lines 52 through 55 in column 5 continue, “Strap 34, connected to theend of extension 20, passes downwardly through guide 62, beneath sidehead pad 14 and upwardly through the guide 64. In this configuration theprotector 10 is ready for installation on a steer 12.”

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present Improved Head and Horn Protector is based upon the protectorof U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,707.

There is, however, no longer a separate extension and rear horn pad.Each rear horn pad is an extension of the respective side head pad withthe rear horn pad and the side head pad constituting a unitarystructure.

Moreover, the second end of each bridging pad is preferably left free sothat, in the preferred embodiment, a buckle (which, as used herein,shall designate any releasable fastener for a strap that is known in theart, including—but not limited to—a traditional “buckle”) is attached tothe second end of the bridging pad on either the left or right segmentof the protector; and a strap is connected to the second end of theother bridging pad.

Additionally, the optional looped keeper on each rear horn pad ispreferably angled in order to create greater friction against thebridging pad protector as it passes through the looped keeper andthereby facilitate maintaining a desired length of the bridging padwithin or past such looped keeper.

And one edge of each guide is preferably placed underneath a protectivelinear segment for the respective side head pad in order to eliminatethe effects of abrasion on the connection of such guide to therespective side head pad.

Similarly, each end of each looped keeper is preferably folded under aprotective linear segment in order to protect the connections of thelooped keepers to the rear horn pad from abrasion.

Rather than directly attaching a free end of the protective materialoverlying the rear horn pad to the outer surface of a respective sidehead pad, a segment of elastic (stretch) webbing is optionally insertedbetween such free end and the respective side head pad.

The lower edge of the protective material overlying each bridging padpreferably extends below the lower edge of the respective bridging padexcept near the second end of such protective material in order tofacilitate initial introduction of the bridging pad into the respectivelooped keeper and subsequent retention of the positions of therespective bridging pad and rear horn pad with respect to each other.

And, preferably, either a rigid (preferably hard plastic or steel) panelor a cushion is placed between the protective material and the rear hornpad to provide added protection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a unitary unfolded side head pad and rear horn pad.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the rear of the Improved Head and Hornprotector with a free end of a rear horn pad and the free end of alinear segment of protective material (for the side head pad and rearhorn pad) inside the lower portion of the linear segment of protectivematerial (for the side head pad and rear horn pad) but outside the outersurface of the side head pad.

FIG. 3 illustrates a segment of elastic webbing material connectedbetween the free end of the linear segment of protective material (forthe side head pad and rear horn pad) and the lower portion of the linearsegment of protective material (for the side head pad and rear hornpad).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the rear of the Improved Head and Hornprotector with the free end of a linear segment of protective material(for the side head pad and rear horn pad) outside the lower portion ofthe linear segment of protective material (for the side head pad andrear horn pad) and with the free end of the rear horn pad inside thelower portion of the linear segment of protective material (for the sidehead pad and rear horn pad) but outside the outer surface of the sidehead pad.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the rear of the Improved Head and Hornprotector with the free end of a linear segment of protective material(for the side head pad and rear horn pad) and a free end of the rearhorn pad outside the lower portion of the linear segment of protectivematerial (for the side head pad and rear horn pad).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the rear of the Improved Head and Hornprotector with the free end of a linear segment of protective material(for the side head pad and rear horn pad) outside the lower portion ofthe linear segment of protective material (for the side head pad andrear horn pad) and with the free end of the rear horn pad inside theinner surface of the side head pad.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from the rear of the Improved Head and Hornprotector with the free end of a linear segment of protective material(for the side head pad and rear horn pad) inside the lower portion ofthe linear segment of protective material (for the side head pad andrear horn pad) and with the free end of the rear horn pad inside theinner surface of the side head pad.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view from the rear of the Improved Head and Hornprotector with both the free end of a linear segment of protectivematerial (for the side head pad and rear horn pad) and the free end ofthe rear horn pad inside the inner surface of the side head pad.

FIG. 9 depicts a looped keeper connected to the rear horn pad.

FIG. 10 is the same as the embodiment of FIG. 2 except that the secondend of each bridging pad linear segment is attached to the correspondingrear horn pad, a buckle is attached to the right rear horn pad ratherthan to the rear end of the right bridging pad, and a first end of astrap is connected to the left rear horn pad rather than to the rear endof the left bridging pad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As indicated above, the present Improved Head and Horn Protector isbased upon the protector of U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,707.

A first major improvement to the protector of U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,707 isthat there is no longer a separate extension and rear horn pad. Sidehead pad 14 extends, as shown in FIG. 1, substantially straight up fromthe upper edge 66 of the side head pad 14 near the front 101 of sidehead pad 14 creating a rear horn pad 22 that is an integral part of sidehead pad 14. Rear horn pad 22 is, as seen in FIG. 2, bent toward thefront 101 of side head pad 14 and has its free end 103 placed beside theside head pad 14, preferably on the outer surface 104 of the side headpad 14. Beginning near the lower edge 70 of side head pad 14, a linearsegment of protective, preferably heavy webbing, material 50 designatedthe horn pad linear segment 105 is attached to the outer surface 104 ofthe side head pad 14 and continues connected along the outer surface 106of rear horn pad 22 past the free end 103 of rear horn pad 22 until thefree end 108 of the horn pad linear segment 105 of the protective,preferably heavy webbing, material 50 is attached to the lower portion109 of the horn pad linear segment 105, either directly or by beingconnected to the side head pad 14.

Having a unitary rear horn pad 22 rather than an extension and a rearhorn pad provides for better self-adjustment of the protector 10 aroundthe rear of a horn. Such self-adjustment is further improved byoptionally, as portrayed in FIG. 3, attaching the free end 108 of thehorn pad linear segment 105 to a first end 110 of a segment 111 ofelastic (stretch) webbing material 112. A second end 113 of the segment111 is then connected to the lower portion 109 of the horn pad linearsegment 105 either directly or by being connected to the side head pad14.

At least six options exist for locating the free end 108 of the horn padlinear segment 105 (or, when the stretch webbing material 112 isemployed, the second end 113 of the segment 111) and the free end of therear horn pad 22 with respect to the lower portion 109 of the horn padlinear segment 105; in the first three options both the free end 108 ofthe horn pad linear segment 105 (or, when the stretch webbing material112 is employed, the second end 113 of the segment 111) and the free endof the rear horn pad 22 are outside the outer surface 104 of the sidehead pad 14, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 whereas in the last threeoptions the free end of the rear horn pad 22 is always inside the innersurface 204 of the side head pad 14, as demonstrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and8. For the first three options, either (a) the free end 108 of the hornpad linear segment 105 (or, when the stretch webbing material 112 isemployed, the second end 113 of the segment 111) but not the free end103 of the rear horn pad 22 can be outside the lower portion 109 of thehorn pad linear segment 105, as illustrated in FIG. 4; (b) both the freeend 108 of the horn pad linear segment 105 (or, when the stretch webbingmaterial 112 is employed, the second end 113 of the segment 111) and thefree end 103 of the rear horn pad 22 can be outside the lower portion109 of the horn pad linear segment 105, as illustrated in FIG. 5; or(c), preferably, both the free end 108 of the horn pad linear segment105 (or, when the stretch webbing material 112 is employed, the secondend 113 of the segment 111) and the free end 103 of the rear horn pad 22can, as shown in FIG. 2, be inside the lower portion 109 of the horn padlinear segment 105. Especially, when the stretch webbing material isutilized, it is preferable to have the lower portion 109 of the horn padlinear segment 105 outside the second end 113 of the segment 111 ofstretch webbing material 112 in order to provide protection for thestretch webbing material 112. And, similarly, for the last threeoptions, either (a) the free end 108 of the horn pad linear segment 105(or, when the stretch webbing material 112 is employed, the second end113 of the segment 111) can be outside the lower portion 109 of the hornpad linear segment 105 while the free end 103 of the rear horn pad 22 isinside the inner surface 204 of the side head pad 14, as illustrated inFIG. 6; (b) the free end 108 of the horn pad linear segment 105 (or,when the stretch webbing material 112 is employed, the second end 113 ofthe segment 111) can be between the lower portion 109 of the horn padlinear segment 105 and the side head pad 14 while the free end 103 ofthe rear horn pad 22 is inside the inner surface 204 of the side headpad 14, as illustrated in FIG. 7; and (c) both the free end 108 of thehorn pad linear segment 105 (or, when the stretch webbing material 112is employed, the second end 113 of the segment 111) and the free end 103of the rear horn pad 22 can, as shown in FIG. 8, be inside the innersurface 204 of the side head pad 14.

A bridging pad 42 extends across the point 801 where the horn pad linearsegment 105 initially overlaps itself. Attached to the outer surface 115of bridging pad 42 is a second linear segment, designated the bridgingpad linear segment 116, of the protective, preferably heavy webbing,material 50. A first end 117 of the bridging pad linear segment 116 isattached to the rear horn pad 22 near the inner edge 118 of the rearhorn pad 22 and, preferably, near the point 119 where the folded rearhorn pad 22 extends downward past the upper edge 66 of the side head pad14. The second end 120 of the bridging pad linear segment 116 is, asshown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, preferablyattached only to a rear end 300 of the bridging pad 42 in order to aidfurther the adjustability of the protector 10 and is, thus, the secondmajor improvement in this protector 10. If, however, such second end 120is not left free, it is not attached to rear end 300 of the bridging pad42; rather, as shown in FIG. 10, it is attached to the rear horn pad 22near the inner edge 118 of the rear horn pad 22 but farther to the frontthan the location 121 where the first end 117 of the bridging pad linearsegment 116 is attached to the rear horn pad 22.

A looped keeper 58 is preferably employed when the second end 120 of thebridging pad linear segment 116 is left free. A first end 122 of thelooped keeper is connected to the rear horn pad 22 near the inner edge118 of the rear horn pad 22 but farther to the front than the location121 where the first end 117 of the bridging pad linear segment 116 isattached to the rear horn pad 22. Preferably, the second end 123 of thelooped keeper 58 is connected to the rear horn pad 22 near the outeredge 124 of the rear horn pad 22 in such a location 125 that thelongitudinal axis 126 of the looped keeper 58 makes, as illustrated inFIG. 9, an acute angle α with an imaginary line 127 drawnperpendicularly to the inner edge 118 and the outer edge 124 of the rearhorn pad 22. This constitutes a third major improvement of the protector10. The rear end 300 of the bridging pad 42 and the second end 120 ofthe bridging pad linear segment 116 are passed through the looped keeper58. Thus, with the bridging pad 42 and the bridging pad linear segment116 extending through the looped keeper 58, the angled orientation ofthe looped keeper 58 tends to create more frictional resistance on thebridging pad linear segment 116 and, therefore, to facilitatemaintaining a desired length 700 of the bridging pad 42 within or pastsuch looped keeper 58. Preferably, the looped keeper 58 is composed ofheavy webbing material.

The first end 122 and the second end 123 of the looped keeper 58 arepreferably placed between the horn pad linear segment 105 and the outersurface 106 of rear horn pad 22 in order to protect the connections tothe rear horn pad 22 from abrasion.

The lower edge 901 of the bridging pad linear segment 116 preferablyextends beyond the lower edge 44 of the bridging pad 42 except near thesecond end 120 of the bridging pad linear segment 116 in order tofacilitate introduction of the bridging pad 42 into the looped keeper 58initially and then frictional retention of the bridging pad 42 withrespect to the rear horn pad 22 subsequently.

A third linear segment, designated the side head pad linear segment 114,of the protective, preferably heavy webbing, material 50 commences nearthe rear 102 of side head pad 14; runs transversely near to, andpreferably under, the lower portion 109 of the horn pad linear segment105; and is attached to the outer surface 104 of the side head pad 14.Longitudinally, the side head pad linear segment 114 runs from near thelower edge 70 of the side head pad 14 to near the upper edge 66 of theside head pad 14.

A guide 62 extends from below the upper edge 66 of the side head pad 14(and, on the outer surface 130 of the side head pad linear segment 114,preferably, from below the upper edge 701 of the side head pad linearsegment 114) to above the lower edge 70 of side head pad 14 (and,preferably, to above the lower edge 702 of the side head pad linearsegment 114). The guide 62 is composed of the protective, preferablyheavy webbing, material 50. Furthermore, the guide 62 has a first edge128 which is preferably folded under the side head pad linear segment114 and which is connected to the side head pad linear segment 114 and,preferably, to the side head pad 14. A second edge 129 of the guide 62is attached to the side head pad 14 by being connected to the outersurface 130 of the side head pad linear segment 114 with such secondedge 129 preferably being underneath the lower portion 109 of the hornpad linear segment 105.

Having the side head pad linear segment 114 running under the lowerportion 109 of the horn pad linear segment 105 and having the secondedge 129 of the guide 62 underneath the lower portion 109 of the hornpad linear segment 105, as illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG.6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, protects the connections of these elements toside head pad 14 from abrasion in the preferred construction of the sidehead pad linear segment 114 and the guide 62. This creates the fourthmajor improvement of the protector 10.

Side head pad 14, rear horn pad 22, and bridging pad 42 are composed ofsoft padding material of a thickness selected to cushion force from arope—preferably, approximately one-half inch of felt.

Preferably, an internal shield 350 (either a rigid panel—preferablycomposed of hard plastic or steel—or a cushion which is preferablycomposed of twenty-pound closed cell foam) is placed between the hornpad linear segment 105 and the rear horn pad 22, beginning near thepoint 119 where the rear horn pad 22 extends downward past the upperedge 66 of the side head pad 14 and then proceeding downward, preferablyto a point substantially adjacent to the guide 62 and intermediate theedges 701, 702 of the side head pad linear segment 114 and, mostpreferably, for approximately three inches. This provides addedprotection in the most likely spot to be affected during roping.

Preferably, all connections are done by sewing.

The description so far applies to a right portion 400 of the protector10. A left portion 401 of the protector 10 is constructed as a mirrorimage of the right portion 400 except for the features described below.

If the second end 120 of the bridging pad linear segment 116 is attachedto the rear end 300 of the bridging pad 42 of the left portion 401, abuckle 30 is also attached to the rear end 300 of the bridging pad 42 ofthe left portion 401. (Alternatively, the buckle 30 can be attached tothe rear end 300 of the bridging pad 42 of the right portion 400.) And afirst end 32 of a strap 34 is connected to the rear end 300 of thebridging pad 42 of the right portion 400 if the second end 120 of thebridging pad linear segment 116 is attached to the rear end 300 of thebridging pad 42 of the right portion 400. (Again, alternatively, thefirst end 32 of the strap 34 is connected to the rear end 300 ofbridging pad 42 of the left portion 401 when the buckle 30 is attachedto the rear end 300 of bridging pad 42 of the right portion 400.) And ifeither second end 120 of a bridging pad linear segment 116 is attachedto the rear horn pad 22, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the buckle 30 orfirst end 32 of the strap 34 that would have been connected to the rearend 300 of the related bridging pad 42 is, instead, attached to therespective rear horn pad 22 near the uppermost point 131 of such rearhorn pad 22, as portrayed in FIG. 10; either of such connections may bedirectly to the rear horn pad 22 or indirectly to the rear horn pad 22by having the buckle 30 or first end 32 of the strap 34 connecteddirectly to the appropriate horn pad linear segment 105.

Installation of the protector 10 on an animal is accomplishedessentially as stated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,707.

As used herein, the term “substantially” indicates that one skilled inthe art would consider the value modified by such terms to be withinacceptable limits for the stated value. Also as used herein the term“preferable” or “preferably” means that a specified element or techniqueis more acceptable than another but not that such specified element ortechnique is a necessity.

1. An improved head and horn protector of the type having a left sidehead pad, a left rear horn pad, a left bridging pad, a left guide, aright side head pad, a right rear horn pad, a right bridging pad, aright guide, a strap, and a releasable connector for the strap, whereinthe improvement comprises: a unitary left side head pad and left rearhorn pad formed by extending the left side head pad substantiallystraight up from an upper edge of the left side head pad near a front ofthe left side head pad so that the left rear horn pad can be bent towardthe front of the left side head pad and have a free end of the left rearhorn pad placed beside the left side head pad; and a unitary right sidehead pad and right rear horn pad formed by extending the right side headpad substantially straight up from an upper edge of the right side headpad near a front of the right side head pad so that the right rear hornpad can be bent toward the front of the right side head pad and have afree end of the right rear horn pad placed beside the right side headpad.
 2. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim 1,further comprising: covers of protective material, wherein said coversof protective material comprise: a left horn pad linear segment ofprotective material, said left horn pad linear segment having a lowerportion beginning near a lower edge of the left side head pad, said lefthorn pad linear segment being attached to an outer surface of the leftside head pad, said left horn pad linear segment continuing along andbeing attached to an outer surface of the left rear horn pad, and saidleft horn pad linear segment proceeding past a free end of the left rearhorn pad until a free end of said left horn pad linear segment isconnected to the lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment; aleft bridging pad linear segment of protective material attached to anouter surface of the left bridging pad and also having a first endattached to the left rear horn pad near an inner edge of the left rearhorn pad; a left side head pad linear segment of protective materialcommencing near a rear of the left side head pad, running transverselynear to the lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment, beingattached to the outer surface of the left side head pad, and runninglongitudinally from near a lower edge of the left side head pad to nearan upper edge of the left side head pad; a left guide of protectivematerial extending—on an outer surface of said left side head pad linearsegment—from below the upper edge of the left side head pad to above thelower edge of the left side head pad, having a first edge connected tosaid left side head pad linear segment, and having a second edgeattached to the outer surface of said left side head pad linear segment;a right horn pad linear segment of protective material, said right hornpad linear segment having a lower portion beginning near a lower edge ofthe right side head pad, said right horn pad linear segment beingattached to an outer surface of the right side head pad, said right hornpad linear segment continuing along and being attached to an outersurface of the right rear horn pad, and said right horn pad linearsegment proceeding past a free end of the right rear horn pad until afree end of said right horn pad linear segment is connected to the lowerportion of said right horn pad linear segment; a right bridging padlinear segment of protective material attached to an outer surface ofthe right bridging pad and also having a first end attached to the rightrear horn pad near an inner edge of the right rear horn pad; a rightside head pad linear segment of protective material commencing near arear of the right side head pad, running transversely near to the lowerportion of said right horn pad linear segment, being attached to theouter surface of the right side head pad, and running longitudinallyfrom near a lower edge of the right side head pad to near an upper edgeof the right side head pad; and a right guide of protective materialextending—on an outer surface of said right side head pad linearsegment—from below the upper edge of the right side head pad to abovethe lower edge of the right side head pad, having a first edge connectedto said right side head pad linear segment, and having a second edgeattached to the outer surface of said right side head pad linearsegment.
 3. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim 2,further comprising: a left segment of stretch webbing material insertedbetween the free end of said left horn pad linear segment and the lowerportion of said left horn pad linear segment by having a first end ofsaid left segment of stretch webbing material attached to the free endof said left horn pad linear segment and having a second end of saidleft segment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portionof said left horn pad linear segment; and a right segment of stretchwebbing material inserted between the free end of said right horn padlinear segment and the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment by having a first end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the free end of said right horn pad linear segmentand having a second end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment.
 4. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim 2,wherein: said left side head pad linear segment continues to run, fromnear the lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment, to underthe lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment; the second edgeof said left guide is located underneath the lower portion of said lefthorn pad linear segment; said right side head pad linear segmentcontinues to run, from near the lower portion of said right horn padlinear segment, to under the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment; and the second edge of said right guide is located underneaththe lower portion of said right horn pad linear segment.
 5. The improvedhead and horn protector as recited in claim 4, further comprising: aleft segment of stretch webbing material inserted between the free endof said left horn pad linear segment and the lower portion of said lefthorn pad linear segment by having a first end of said left segment ofstretch webbing material attached to the free end of said left horn padlinear segment and having a second end of said left segment of stretchwebbing material attached to the lower portion of said left horn padlinear segment; and a right segment of stretch webbing material insertedbetween the free end of said right horn pad linear segment and the lowerportion of said right horn pad linear segment by having a first end ofsaid right segment of stretch webbing material attached to the free endof said right horn pad linear segment and having a second end of saidright segment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portionof said right horn pad linear segment.
 6. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 4, wherein: a second end of said leftbridging pad linear segment is attached only to a rear end of the leftbridging pad; a second end of said right bridging pad linear segment isattached only to a rear end of the right bridging pad; and furthercomprising: a buckle attached to the rear end of the right bridging pad;and a first end of a strap connected to the rear end of the leftbridging pad.
 7. The improved head and horn protector as recited inclaim 6, further comprising: a left segment of stretch webbing materialinserted between the free end of said left horn pad linear segment andthe lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment by having a firstend of said left segment of stretch webbing material attached to thefree end of said left horn pad linear segment and having a second end ofsaid left segment of stretch webbing material attached to the lowerportion of said left horn pad linear segment; and a right segment ofstretch webbing material inserted between the free end of said righthorn pad linear segment and the lower portion of said right horn padlinear segment by having a first end of said right segment of stretchwebbing material attached to the free end of said right horn pad linearsegment and having a second end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment.
 8. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim 6,further comprising: a left looped keeper having a first end connected tothe left rear horn pad near the inner edge of the left rear horn pad butfarther forward than a location where the first end of said leftbridging pad linear segment is attached to the left rear horn pad andalso having a second end connected to the left rear horn pad near anouter edge of the left rear horn pad in such a position that alongitudinal axis of said left looped keeper makes an acute angle withan imaginary line drawn perpendicularly to the inner edge and the outeredge of the left rear horn pad; and a right looped keeper having a firstend connected to the right rear horn pad near the inner edge of theright rear horn pad but farther forward than a location where the firstend of said right bridging pad linear segment is attached to the rightrear horn pad and also having a second end connected to the right rearhorn pad near an outer edge of the right rear horn pad in such aposition that a longitudinal axis of said right looped keeper makes anacute angle with an imaginary line drawn perpendicularly to the inneredge and the outer edge of the right rear horn pad.
 9. The improved headand horn protector as recited in claim 8, further comprising: a leftsegment of stretch webbing material inserted between the free end ofsaid left horn pad linear segment and the lower portion of said lefthorn pad linear segment by having a first end of said left segment ofstretch webbing material attached to the free end of said left horn padlinear segment and having a second end of said left segment of stretchwebbing material attached to the lower portion of said left horn padlinear segment; and a right segment of stretch webbing material insertedbetween the free end of said right horn pad linear segment and the lowerportion of said right horn pad linear segment by having a first end ofsaid right segment of stretch webbing material attached to the free endof said right horn pad linear segment and having a second end of saidright segment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portionof said right horn pad linear segment.
 10. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 8, further comprising: a left internalshield placed between said left horn pad linear segment and the leftrear horn pad, beginning near a point where the bent left rear horn padextends downward past the upper edge of the left side head pad and thenproceeding downward; and a right internal shield placed between saidright horn pad linear segment and the right rear horn pad, beginningnear a point where the bent right rear horn pad extends downward pastthe upper edge of the right side head pad and then proceeding downward.11. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim 10, furthercomprising: a left segment of stretch webbing material inserted betweenthe free end of said left horn pad linear segment and the lower portionof said left horn pad linear segment by having a first end of said leftsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the free end of saidleft horn pad linear segment and having a second end of said leftsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portion ofsaid left horn pad linear segment; and a right segment of stretchwebbing material inserted between the free end of said right horn padlinear segment and the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment by having a first end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the free end of said right horn pad linear segmentand having a second end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment.
 12. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim 6,further comprising: a left internal shield placed between said left hornpad linear segment and the left rear horn pad, beginning near a pointwhere the bent left rear horn pad extends downward past the upper edgeof the left side head pad and then proceeding downward; and a rightinternal shield placed between said right horn pad linear segment andthe right rear horn pad, beginning near a point where the bent rightrear horn pad extends downward past the upper edge of the right sidehead pad and then proceeding downward.
 13. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 12, further comprising: a left segment ofstretch webbing material inserted between the free end of said left hornpad linear segment and the lower portion of said left horn pad linearsegment by having a first end of said left segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the free end of said left horn pad linear segmentand having a second end of said left segment of stretch webbing materialattached to the lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment; anda right segment of stretch webbing material inserted between the freeend of said right horn pad linear segment and the lower portion of saidright horn pad linear segment by having a first end of said rightsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the free end of saidright horn pad linear segment and having a second end of said rightsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portion ofsaid right horn pad linear segment.
 14. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 4, wherein: a second end of said leftbridging pad linear segment is attached to the left rear horn pad nearthe inner edge of the left rear horn pad but farther forward than alocation where the first end of said left bridging pad linear segment isattached to the left rear horn pad; a second end of said right bridgingpad linear segment is attached to the right rear horn pad near the inneredge of the right rear horn pad but farther forward than a locationwhere the first end of said right bridging pad linear segment isattached to the right rear horn pad; and further comprising: a buckleattached to the right rear horn pad near an uppermost point of the rightrear horn pad; and a first end of a strap connected to the left rearhorn pad near an uppermost point of the left rear horn pad.
 15. Theimproved head and horn protector as recited in claim 14, furthercomprising: a left segment of stretch webbing material inserted betweenthe free end of said left horn pad linear segment and the lower portionof said left horn pad linear segment by having a first end of said leftsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the free end of saidleft horn pad linear segment and having a second end of said leftsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portion ofsaid left horn pad linear segment; and a right segment of stretchwebbing material inserted between the free end of said right horn padlinear segment and the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment by having a first end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the free end of said right horn pad linear segmentand having a second end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment.
 16. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim14, further comprising: a left internal shield placed between said lefthorn pad linear segment and the left rear horn pad, beginning near apoint where the bent left rear horn pad extends downward past the upperedge of the left side head pad and then proceeding downward; and a rightinternal shield placed between said right horn pad linear segment andthe right rear horn pad, beginning near a point where the bent rightrear horn pad extends downward past the upper edge of the right sidehead pad and then proceeding downward.
 17. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 16, further comprising: a left segment ofstretch webbing material inserted between the free end of said left hornpad linear segment and the lower portion of said left horn pad linearsegment by having a first end of said left segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the free end of said left horn pad linear segmentand having a second end of said left segment of stretch webbing materialattached to the lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment; anda right segment of stretch webbing material inserted between the freeend of said right horn pad linear segment and the lower portion of saidright horn pad linear segment by having a first end of said rightsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the free end of saidright horn pad linear segment and having a second end of said rightsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portion ofsaid right horn pad linear segment.
 18. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 4, further comprising: a left loopedkeeper having a first end connected to the left rear horn pad near theinner edge of the left rear horn pad but farther forward than a locationwhere the first end of said left bridging pad linear segment is attachedto the left rear horn pad and also having a second end connected to theleft rear horn pad near an outer edge of the left rear horn pad in sucha position that a longitudinal axis of said left looped keeper makes anacute angle with an imaginary line drawn perpendicularly to the inneredge and the outer edge of the left rear horn pad; and a right loopedkeeper having a first end connected to the right rear horn pad near theinner edge of the right rear horn pad but farther forward than alocation where the first end of said right bridging pad linear segmentis attached to the right rear horn pad and also having a second endconnected to the right rear horn pad near an outer edge of the rightrear horn pad in such a position that a longitudinal axis of said rightlooped keeper makes an acute angle with an imaginary line drawnperpendicularly to the inner edge and the outer edge of the right rearhorn pad.
 19. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim18, further comprising: a left segment of stretch webbing materialinserted between the free end of said left horn pad linear segment andthe lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment by having a firstend of said left segment of stretch webbing material attached to thefree end of said left horn pad linear segment and having a second end ofsaid left segment of stretch webbing material attached to the lowerportion of said left horn pad linear segment; and a right segment ofstretch webbing material inserted between the free end of said righthorn pad linear segment and the lower portion of said right horn padlinear segment by having a first end of said right segment of stretchwebbing material attached to the free end of said right horn pad linearsegment and having a second end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment.
 20. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim18, further comprising: a left internal shield placed between said lefthorn pad linear segment and the left rear horn pad, beginning near apoint where the bent left rear horn pad extends downward past the upperedge of the left side head pad and then proceeding downward; and a rightinternal shield placed between said right horn pad linear segment andthe right rear horn pad, beginning near a point where the bent rightrear horn pad extends downward past the upper edge of the right sidehead pad and then proceeding downward.
 21. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 20, further comprising: a left segment ofstretch webbing material inserted between the free end of said left hornpad linear segment and the lower portion of said left horn pad linearsegment by having a first end of said left segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the free end of said left horn pad linear segmentand having a second end of said left segment of stretch webbing materialattached to the lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment; anda right segment of stretch webbing material inserted between the freeend of said right horn pad linear segment and the lower portion of saidright horn pad linear segment by having a first end of said rightsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the free end of saidright horn pad linear segment and having a second end of said rightsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portion ofsaid right horn pad linear segment.
 22. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 4, further comprising: a left internalshield placed between said left horn pad linear segment and the leftrear horn pad, beginning near a point where the bent left rear horn padextends downward past the upper edge of the left side head pad and thenproceeding downward; and a right internal shield placed between saidright horn pad linear segment and the right rear horn pad, beginningnear a point where the bent right rear horn pad extends downward pastthe upper edge of the right side head pad and then proceeding downward.23. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim 22, furthercomprising: a left segment of stretch webbing material inserted betweenthe free end of said left horn pad linear segment and the lower portionof said left horn pad linear segment by having a first end of said leftsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the free end of saidleft horn pad linear segment and having a second end of said leftsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portion ofsaid left horn pad linear segment; and a right segment of stretchwebbing material inserted between the free end of said right horn padlinear segment and the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment by having a first end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the free end of said right horn pad linear segmentand having a second end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment.
 24. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim 2,wherein: a second end of said left bridging pad linear segment isattached only to a rear end of the left bridging pad; a second end ofsaid right bridging pad linear segment is attached only to a rear end ofthe right bridging pad; and further comprising: a buckle attached to therear end of the right bridging pad; and a first end of a strap connectedto the rear end of the left bridging pad.
 25. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 24, further comprising: a left segment ofstretch webbing material inserted between the free end of said left hornpad linear segment and the lower portion of said left horn pad linearsegment by having a first end of said left segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the free end of said left horn pad linear segmentand having a second end of said left segment of stretch webbing materialattached to the lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment; anda right segment of stretch webbing material inserted between the freeend of said right horn pad linear segment and the lower portion of saidright horn pad linear segment by having a first end of said rightsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the free end of saidright horn pad linear segment and having a second end of said rightsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portion ofsaid right horn pad linear segment.
 26. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 24, further comprising: a left loopedkeeper having a first end connected to the left rear horn pad near theinner edge of the left rear horn pad but farther forward than a locationwhere the first end of said left bridging pad linear segment is attachedto the left rear horn pad and also having a second end connected to theleft rear horn pad near an outer edge of the left rear horn pad in sucha position that a longitudinal axis of said left looped keeper makes anacute angle with an imaginary line drawn perpendicularly to the inneredge and the outer edge of the left rear horn pad; and a right loopedkeeper having a first end connected to the right rear horn pad near theinner edge of the right rear horn pad but farther forward than alocation where the first end of said right bridging pad linear segmentis attached to the right rear horn pad and also having a second endconnected to the right rear horn pad near an outer edge of the rightrear horn pad in such a position that a longitudinal axis of said rightlooped keeper makes an acute angle with an imaginary line drawnperpendicularly to the inner edge and the outer edge of the right rearhorn pad.
 27. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim26, further comprising: a left segment of stretch webbing materialinserted between the free end of said left horn pad linear segment andthe lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment by having a firstend of said left segment of stretch webbing material attached to thefree end of said left horn pad linear segment and having a second end ofsaid left segment of stretch webbing material attached to the lowerportion of said left horn pad linear segment; and a right segment ofstretch webbing material inserted between the free end of said righthorn pad linear segment and the lower portion of said right horn padlinear segment by having a first end of said right segment of stretchwebbing material attached to the free end of said right horn pad linearsegment and having a second end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment.
 28. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim26, further comprising: a left internal shield placed between said lefthorn pad linear segment and the left rear horn pad, beginning near apoint where the bent left rear horn pad extends downward past the upperedge of the left side head pad and then proceeding downward; and a rightinternal shield placed between said right horn pad linear segment andthe right rear horn pad, beginning near a point where the bent rightrear horn pad extends downward past the upper edge of the right sidehead pad and then proceeding downward.
 29. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 28, further comprising: a left segment ofstretch webbing material inserted between the free end of said left hornpad linear segment and the lower portion of said left horn pad linearsegment by having a first end of said left segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the free end of said left horn pad linear segmentand having a second end of said left segment of stretch webbing materialattached to the lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment; anda right segment of stretch webbing material inserted between the freeend of said right horn pad linear segment and the lower portion of saidright horn pad linear segment by having a first end of said rightsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the free end of saidright horn pad linear segment and having a second end of said rightsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portion ofsaid right horn pad linear segment.
 30. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 24, further comprising: a left internalshield placed between said left horn pad linear segment and the leftrear horn pad, beginning near a point where the bent left rear horn padextends downward past the upper edge of the left side head pad and thenproceeding downward; and a right internal shield placed between saidright horn pad linear segment and the right rear horn pad, beginningnear a point where the bent right rear horn pad extends downward pastthe upper edge of the right side head pad and then proceeding downward.31. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim 30, furthercomprising: a left segment of stretch webbing material inserted betweenthe free end of said left horn pad linear segment and the lower portionof said left horn pad linear segment by having a first end of said leftsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the free end of saidleft horn pad linear segment and having a second end of said leftsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portion ofsaid left horn pad linear segment; and a right segment of stretchwebbing material inserted between the free end of said right horn padlinear segment and the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment by having a first end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the free end of said right horn pad linear segmentand having a second end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment.
 32. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim 2,wherein: a second end of said left bridging pad linear segment isattached to the left rear horn pad near the inner edge of the left rearhorn pad but farther forward than a location where the first end of saidleft bridging pad linear segment is attached to the left rear horn pad;a second end of said right bridging pad linear segment is attached tothe right rear horn pad near the inner edge of the right rear horn padbut farther forward than a location where the first end of said rightbridging pad linear segment is attached to the right rear horn pad; andfurther comprising: a buckle attached to the right rear horn pad near anuppermost point of the right rear horn pad; and a first end of a strapconnected to the left rear horn pad near an uppermost point of the leftrear horn pad.
 33. The improved head and horn protector as recited inclaim 32, further comprising: a left segment of stretch webbing materialinserted between the free end of said left horn pad linear segment andthe lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment by having a firstend of said left segment of stretch webbing material attached to thefree end of said left horn pad linear segment and having a second end ofsaid left segment of stretch webbing material attached to the lowerportion of said left horn pad linear segment; and a right segment ofstretch webbing material inserted between the free end of said righthorn pad linear segment and the lower portion of said right horn padlinear segment by having a first end of said right segment of stretchwebbing material attached to the free end of said right horn pad linearsegment and having a second end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment.
 34. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim32, further comprising: a left internal shield placed between said lefthorn pad linear segment and the left rear horn pad, beginning near apoint where the bent left rear horn pad extends downward past the upperedge of the left side head pad and then proceeding downward; and a rightinternal shield placed between said right horn pad linear segment andthe right rear horn pad, beginning near a point where the bent rightrear horn pad extends downward past the upper edge of the right sidehead pad and then proceeding downward.
 35. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 34, further comprising: a left segment ofstretch webbing material inserted between the free end of said left hornpad linear segment and the lower portion of said left horn pad linearsegment by having a first end of said left segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the free end of said left horn pad linear segmentand having a second end of said left segment of stretch webbing materialattached to the lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment; anda right segment of stretch webbing material inserted between the freeend of said right horn pad linear segment and the lower portion of saidright horn pad linear segment by having a first end of said rightsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the free end of saidright horn pad linear segment and having a second end of said rightsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portion ofsaid right horn pad linear segment.
 36. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 2, further comprising: a left loopedkeeper having a first end connected to the left rear horn pad near theinner edge of the left rear horn pad but farther forward than a locationwhere the first end of said left bridging pad linear segment is attachedto the left rear horn pad and also having a second end connected to theleft rear horn pad near an outer edge of the left rear horn pad in sucha position that a longitudinal axis of said left looped keeper makes anacute angle with an imaginary line drawn perpendicularly to the inneredge and the outer edge of the left rear horn pad; and a right loopedkeeper having a first end connected to the right rear horn pad near theinner edge of the right rear horn pad but farther forward than alocation where the first end of said right bridging pad linear segmentis attached to the right rear horn pad and also having a second endconnected to the right rear horn pad near an outer edge of the rightrear horn pad in such a position that a longitudinal axis of said rightlooped keeper makes an acute angle with an imaginary line drawnperpendicularly to the inner edge and the outer edge of the right rearhorn pad.
 37. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim36, further comprising: a left segment of stretch webbing materialinserted between the free end of said left horn pad linear segment andthe lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment by having a firstend of said left segment of stretch webbing material attached to thefree end of said left horn pad linear segment and having a second end ofsaid left segment of stretch webbing material attached to the lowerportion of said left horn pad linear segment; and a right segment ofstretch webbing material inserted between the free end of said righthorn pad linear segment and the lower portion of said right horn padlinear segment by having a first end of said right segment of stretchwebbing material attached to the free end of said right horn pad linearsegment and having a second end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment.
 38. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim36, further comprising: a left internal shield placed between said lefthorn pad linear segment and the left rear horn pad, beginning near apoint where the bent left rear horn pad extends downward past the upperedge of the left side head pad and then proceeding downward; and a rightinternal shield placed between said right horn pad linear segment andthe right rear horn pad, beginning near a point where the bent rightrear horn pad extends downward past the upper edge of the right sidehead pad and then proceeding downward.
 39. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 38, further comprising: a left segment ofstretch webbing material inserted between the free end of said left hornpad linear segment and the lower portion of said left horn pad linearsegment by having a first end of said left segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the free end of said left horn pad linear segmentand having a second end of said left segment of stretch webbing materialattached to the lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment; anda right segment of stretch webbing material inserted between the freeend of said right horn pad linear segment and the lower portion of saidright horn pad linear segment by having a first end of said rightsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the free end of saidright horn pad linear segment and having a second end of said rightsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portion ofsaid right horn pad linear segment.
 40. The improved head and hornprotector as recited in claim 2, further comprising: a left internalshield placed between said left horn pad linear segment and the leftrear horn pad, beginning near a point where the bent left rear horn padextends downward past the upper edge of the left side head pad and thenproceeding downward; and a right internal shield placed between saidright horn pad linear segment and the right rear horn pad, beginningnear a point where the bent right rear horn pad extends downward pastthe upper edge of the right side head pad and then proceeding downward.41. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim 40, furthercomprising: a left segment of stretch webbing material inserted betweenthe free end of said left horn pad linear segment and the lower portionof said left horn pad linear segment by having a first end of said leftsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the free end of saidleft horn pad linear segment and having a second end of said leftsegment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portion ofsaid left horn pad linear segment; and a right segment of stretchwebbing material inserted between the free end of said right horn padlinear segment and the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment by having a first end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the free end of said right horn pad linear segmentand having a second end of said right segment of stretch webbingmaterial attached to the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment.
 42. The improved head and horn protector as recited in claim 1,further comprising: a left looped keeper having a first end connected tothe left rear horn pad near the inner edge of the left rear horn pad andalso having a second end connected to the left rear horn pad near anouter edge of the left rear horn pad in such a position that alongitudinal axis of said left looped keeper makes an acute angle withan imaginary line drawn perpendicularly to the inner edge and the outeredge of the left rear horn pad; and a right looped keeper having a firstend connected to the right rear horn pad near the inner edge of theright rear horn pad and also having a second end connected to the rightrear horn pad near an outer edge of the right rear horn pad in such aposition that a longitudinal axis of said right looped keeper makes anacute angle with an imaginary line drawn perpendicularly to the inneredge and the outer edge of the right rear horn pad.
 43. The improvedhead and horn protector as recited in claim 42, further comprising: aleft cover of protective material attached to an outer surface of theleft rear horn pad; a left internal shield placed between said leftcover of protective material and the left rear horn pad, beginning neara point where the bent left rear horn pad extends downward past theupper edge of the left side head pad and then proceeding downward; aright cover of protective material attached to an outer surface of theright rear horn pad; and a right internal shield placed between saidright cover of protective material and the right rear horn pad,beginning near a point where the bent right rear horn pad extendsdownward past the upper edge of the right side head pad and thenproceeding downward.
 44. The improved head and horn protector as recitedin claim 1, further comprising: a left cover of protective materialattached to an outer surface of the left rear horn pad; a left internalshield placed between said left cover of protective material and theleft rear horn pad, beginning near a point where the bent left rear hornpad extends downward past the upper edge of the left side head pad andthen proceeding downward; a right cover of protective material attachedto an outer surface of the right rear horn pad; and a right internalshield placed between said right cover of protective material and theright rear horn pad, beginning near a point where the bent right rearhorn pad extends downward past the upper edge of the right side head padand then proceeding downward.
 45. An improved head and horn protector ofthe type having a left side head pad, a left rear horn pad, a leftbridging pad, a left guide, a right side head pad, a right rear hornpad, a right bridging pad, a right guide, a strap, and a releasableconnector for the strap, wherein the improvement comprises: a unitaryleft side head pad and left rear horn pad formed by extending the leftside head pad substantially straight up from an upper edge of the leftside head pad near a front of the left side head pad so that the leftrear horn pad can be bent toward the front of the left side head pad andhave a free end of the left rear horn pad placed beside the left sidehead pad; a unitary right side head pad and right rear horn pad formedby extending the right side head pad substantially straight up from anupper edge of the right side head pad near a front of the right sidehead pad so that the right rear horn pad can be bent toward the front ofthe right side head pad and have a free end of the right rear horn padplaced beside the right side head pad; a left horn pad linear segment ofprotective material, said left horn pad linear segment having a lowerportion beginning near a lower edge of the left side head pad, said lefthorn pad linear segment being attached to an outer surface of the leftside head pad, said left horn pad linear segment continuing along andbeing attached to an outer surface of the left rear horn pad, and saidleft horn pad linear segment proceeding past a free end of the left rearhorn pad until a free end of said left horn pad linear segment isconnected to the lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment; aleft bridging pad linear segment of protective material attached to anouter surface of the left bridging pad, said left bridging pad linearsegment having a first end attached to the left rear horn pad near aninner edge of the left rear horn pad and a second end attached only to arear end of the left bridging pad; a left side head pad linear segmentof protective material commencing near a rear of the left side head pad,running transversely under the lower portion of said left horn padlinear segment, being attached to the outer surface of the left sidehead pad, and running longitudinally from near a lower edge of the leftside head pad to near an upper edge of the left side head pad; a leftguide of protective material extending—on an outer surface of said leftside head pad linear segment—from below the upper edge of the left sidehead pad to above the lower edge of the left side head pad, having afirst edge connected to said left side head pad linear segment, andhaving a second edge attached to the outer surface of said left sidehead pad linear segment underneath the lower portion of said left hornpad linear segment; a right horn pad linear segment of protectivematerial, said right horn pad linear segment having a lower portionbeginning near a lower edge of the right side head pad, said right hornpad linear segment being attached to an outer surface of the right sidehead pad, said right horn pad linear segment continuing along and beingattached to an outer surface of the right rear horn pad, and said righthorn pad linear segment proceeding past a free end of the right rearhorn pad until a free end of said right horn pad linear segment isconnected to the lower portion of said right horn pad linear segment; aright bridging pad linear segment of protective material attached to anouter surface of the right bridging pad, said right bridging pad linearsegment having a first end attached to the right rear horn pad near aninner edge of the right rear horn pad and a second end attached only toa rear end of the right bridging pad; a right side head pad linearsegment of protective material commencing near a rear of the right sidehead pad, running transversely under the lower portion of said righthorn pad linear segment, being attached to the outer surface of theright side head pad, and running longitudinally from near a lower edgeof the right side head pad to near an upper edge of the right side headpad; a right guide of protective material extending—on an outer surfaceof said right side head pad linear segment—from below the upper edge ofthe right side head pad to above the lower edge of the right side headpad, having a first edge connected to said right side head pad linearsegment, and having a second edge attached to the outer surface of saidright side head pad linear segment underneath the lower portion of saidright horn pad linear segment; a buckle attached to the rear end of theright bridging pad; a first end of a strap connected to the rear end ofthe left bridging pad; a left looped keeper having a first end connectedto the left rear horn pad near the inner edge of the left rear horn padbut farther forward than a location where the first end of said leftbridging pad linear segment is attached to the left rear horn pad andalso having a second end connected to the left rear horn pad near anouter edge of the left rear horn pad in such a position that alongitudinal axis of said left looped keeper makes an acute angle withan imaginary line drawn perpendicularly to the inner edge and the outeredge of the left rear horn pad; a right looped keeper having a first endconnected to the right rear horn pad near the inner edge of the rightrear horn pad but farther forward than a location where the first end ofsaid right bridging pad linear segment is attached to the right rearhorn pad and also having a second end connected to the right rear hornpad near an outer edge of the right rear horn pad in such a positionthat a longitudinal axis of said right looped keeper makes an acuteangle with an imaginary line drawn perpendicularly to the inner edge andthe outer edge of the right rear horn pad; a left internal shield placedbetween said left horn pad linear segment and the left rear horn pad,beginning near a point where the bent left rear horn pad extendsdownward past the upper edge of the left side head pad and thenproceeding downward; and a right internal shield placed between saidright horn pad linear segment and the right rear horn pad, beginningnear a point where the bent right rear horn pad extends downward pastthe upper edge of the right side head pad and then proceeding downward.46. An improved head and horn protector of the type having a left sidehead pad, a left rear horn pad, a left bridging pad, a left guide, aright side head pad, a right rear horn pad, a right bridging pad, aright guide, a strap, and a releasable connector for the strap, whereinthe improvement comprises: a unitary left side head pad and left rearhorn pad formed by extending the left side head pad substantiallystraight up from an upper edge of the left side head pad near a front ofthe left side head pad so that the left rear horn pad can be bent towardthe front of the left side head pad and have a free end of the left rearhorn pad placed beside the left side head pad; a unitary right side headpad and right rear horn pad formed by extending the right side head padsubstantially straight up from an upper edge of the right side head padnear a front of the right side head pad so that the right rear horn padcan be bent toward the front of the right side head pad and have a freeend of the right rear horn pad placed beside the right side head pad; aleft horn pad linear segment of protective material, said left horn padlinear segment having a lower portion beginning near a lower edge of theleft side head pad, said left horn pad linear segment being attached toan outer surface of the left side head pad, said left horn pad linearsegment continuing along and being attached to an outer surface of theleft rear horn pad, and said left horn pad linear segment proceedingpast a free end of the left rear horn pad until a free end of said lefthorn pad linear segment is connected to the lower portion of said lefthorn pad linear segment; a left bridging pad linear segment ofprotective material attached to an outer surface of the left bridgingpad, said left bridging pad linear segment having a first end attachedto the left rear horn pad near an inner edge of the left rear horn padand a second end attached only to a rear end of the left bridging pad; aleft side head pad linear segment of protective material commencing neara rear of the left side head pad, running transversely under the lowerportion of said left horn pad linear segment, being attached to theouter surface of the left side head pad, and running longitudinally fromnear a lower edge of the left side head pad to near an upper edge of theleft side head pad; a left guide of protective material extending—on anouter surface of said left side head pad linear segment—from below theupper edge of the left side head pad to above the lower edge of the leftside head pad, having a first edge connected to said left side head padlinear segment, and having a second edge attached to the outer surfaceof said left side head pad linear segment underneath the lower portionof said left horn pad linear segment; a right horn pad linear segment ofprotective material, said right horn pad linear segment having a lowerportion beginning near a lower edge of the right side head pad, saidright horn pad linear segment being attached to an outer surface of theright side head pad, said right horn pad linear segment continuing alongand being attached to an outer surface of the right rear horn pad, andsaid right horn pad linear segment proceeding past a free end of theright rear horn pad until a free end of said right horn pad linearsegment is connected to the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment; a right bridging pad linear segment of protective materialattached to an outer surface of the right bridging pad, said rightbridging pad linear segment having a first end attached to the rightrear horn pad near an inner edge of the right rear horn pad and a secondend attached only to a rear end of the right bridging pad; a right sidehead pad linear segment of protective material commencing near a rear ofthe right side head pad, running transversely under the lower portion ofsaid right horn pad linear segment, being attached to the outer surfaceof the right side head pad, and running longitudinally from near a loweredge of the right side head pad to near an upper edge of the right sidehead pad; a right guide of protective material extending—on an outersurface of said right side head pad linear segment—from below the upperedge of the right side head pad to above the lower edge of the rightside head pad, having a first edge connected to said right side head padlinear segment, and having a second edge attached to the outer surfaceof said right side head pad linear segment underneath the lower portionof said right horn pad linear segment; a buckle attached to the rear endof the right bridging pad; a first end of a strap connected to the rearend of the left bridging pad; a left looped keeper having a first endconnected to the left rear horn pad near the inner edge of the left rearhorn pad but farther forward than a location where the first end of saidleft bridging pad linear segment is attached to the left rear horn padand also having a second end connected to the left rear horn pad near anouter edge of the left rear horn pad in such a position that alongitudinal axis of said left looped keeper makes an acute angle withan imaginary line drawn perpendicularly to the inner edge and the outeredge of the left rear horn pad; a right looped keeper having a first endconnected to the right rear horn pad near the inner edge of the rightrear horn pad but farther forward than a location where the first end ofsaid right bridging pad linear segment is attached to the right rearhorn pad and also having a second end connected to the right rear hornpad near an outer edge of the right rear horn pad in such a positionthat a longitudinal axis of said right looped keeper makes an acuteangle with an imaginary line drawn perpendicularly to the inner edge andthe outer edge of the right rear horn pad; a left internal shield placedbetween said left horn pad linear segment and the left rear horn pad,beginning near a point where the bent left rear horn pad extendsdownward past the upper edge of the left side head pad and thenproceeding downward; a right internal shield placed between said righthorn pad linear segment and the right rear horn pad, beginning near apoint where the bent right rear horn pad extends downward past the upperedge of the right side head pad and then proceeding downward; a leftsegment of stretch webbing material inserted between the free end ofsaid left horn pad linear segment and the lower portion of said lefthorn pad linear segment by having a first end of said left segment ofstretch webbing material attached to the free end of said left horn padlinear segment and having a second end of said left segment of stretchwebbing material attached to the lower portion of said left horn padlinear segment; and a right segment of stretch webbing material insertedbetween the free end of said right horn pad linear segment and the lowerportion of said right horn pad linear segment by having a first end ofsaid right segment of stretch webbing material attached to the free endof said right horn pad linear segment and having a second end of saidright segment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portionof said right horn pad linear segment.
 47. An improved head and hornprotector of the type having a left side head pad, a left rear horn pad,a left bridging pad, a left guide, a right side head pad, a right rearhorn pad, a right bridging pad, a right guide, a strap, and a releasableconnector for the strap, wherein the improvement comprises: a unitaryleft side head pad and left rear horn pad formed by extending the leftside head pad substantially straight up from an upper edge of the leftside head pad near a front of the left side head pad so that the leftrear horn pad can be bent toward the front of the left side head pad andhave a free end of the left rear horn pad placed beside the left sidehead pad; a unitary right side head pad and right rear horn pad formedby extending the right side head pad substantially straight up from anupper edge of the right side head pad near a front of the right sidehead pad so that the right rear horn pad can be bent toward the front ofthe right side head pad and have a free end of the right rear horn padplaced beside the right side head pad; a left horn pad linear segment ofprotective material, said left horn pad linear segment having a lowerportion beginning near a lower edge of the left side head pad, said lefthorn pad linear segment being attached to an outer surface of the leftside head pad, said left horn pad linear segment continuing along andbeing attached to an outer surface of the left rear horn pad, and saidleft horn pad linear segment proceeding past a free end of the left rearhorn pad until a free end of said left horn pad linear segment isconnected to the lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment; aleft bridging pad linear segment of protective material attached to anouter surface of the left bridging pad, said left bridging pad linearsegment having a first end attached to the left rear horn pad near aninner edge of the left rear horn pad and a second end attached to theleft rear horn pad near the inner edge of the left rear horn pad butfarther forward than a location where the first end of said leftbridging pad linear segment is attached to the left rear horn pad; aleft side head pad linear segment of protective material commencing neara rear of the left side head pad, running transversely under the lowerportion of said left horn pad linear segment, being attached to theouter surface of the left side head pad, and running longitudinally fromnear a lower edge of the left side head pad to near an upper edge of theleft side head pad; a left guide of protective material extending—on anouter surface of said left side head pad linear segment—from below theupper edge of the left side head pad to above the lower edge of the leftside head pad, having a first edge connected to said left side head padlinear segment, and having a second edge attached to the outer surfaceof said left side head pad linear segment underneath the lower portionof said left horn pad linear segment; a right horn pad linear segment ofprotective material, said right horn pad linear segment having a lowerportion beginning near a lower edge of the right side head pad, saidright horn pad linear segment being attached to an outer surface of theright side head pad, said right horn pad linear segment continuing alongand being attached to an outer surface of the right rear horn pad, andsaid right horn pad linear segment proceeding past a free end of theright rear horn pad until a free end of said right horn pad linearsegment is connected to the lower portion of said right horn pad linearsegment; a right bridging pad linear segment of protective materialattached to an outer surface of the right bridging pad, said rightbridging pad linear segment having a first end attached to the rightrear horn pad near an inner edge of the right rear horn pad and a secondend attached to the right rear horn pad near the inner edge of the rightrear horn pad but farther forward than a location where the first end ofsaid right bridging pad linear segment is attached to the right rearhorn pad; a right side head pad linear segment of protective materialcommencing near a rear of the right side head pad, running transverselyunder the lower portion of said right horn pad linear segment, beingattached to the outer surface of the right side head pad, and runninglongitudinally from near a lower edge of the right side head pad to nearan upper edge of the right side head pad; a right guide of protectivematerial extending—on an outer surface of said right side head padlinear segment—from below the upper edge of the right side head pad toabove the lower edge of the right side head pad, having a first edgeconnected to said right side head pad linear segment, and having asecond edge attached to the outer surface of said right side head padlinear segment underneath the lower portion of said right horn padlinear segment; a buckle attached to the right rear horn pad near anuppermost point of the right rear horn pad; a first end of a strapconnected to the left rear horn pad near an uppermost point of the leftrear horn pad; a left internal shield placed between said left horn padlinear segment and the left rear horn pad, beginning near a point wherethe bent left rear horn pad extends downward past the upper edge of theleft side head pad and then proceeding downward; and a right internalshield placed between said right horn pad linear segment and the rightrear horn pad, beginning near a point where the bent right rear horn padextends downward past the upper edge of the right side head pad and thenproceeding downward.
 48. An improved head and horn protector of the typehaving a left side head pad, a left rear horn pad, a left bridging pad,a left guide, a right side head pad, a right rear horn pad, a rightbridging pad, a right guide, a strap, and a releasable connector for thestrap, wherein the improvement comprises: a unitary left side head padand left rear horn pad formed by extending the left side head padsubstantially straight up from an upper edge of the left side head padnear a front of the left side head pad so that the left rear horn padcan be bent toward the front of the left side head pad and have a freeend of the left rear horn pad placed beside the left side head pad; aunitary right side head pad and right rear horn pad formed by extendingthe right side head pad substantially straight up from an upper edge ofthe right side head pad near a front of the right side head pad so thatthe right rear horn pad can be bent toward the front of the right sidehead pad and have a free end of the right rear horn pad placed besidethe right side head pad; a left horn pad linear segment of protectivematerial, said left horn pad linear segment having a lower portionbeginning near a lower edge of the left side head pad, said left hornpad linear segment being attached to an outer surface of the left sidehead pad, said left horn pad linear segment continuing along and beingattached to an outer surface of the left rear horn pad, and said lefthorn pad linear segment proceeding past a free end of the left rear hornpad until a free end of said left horn pad linear segment is connectedto the lower portion of said left horn pad linear segment; a leftbridging pad linear segment of protective material attached to an outersurface of the left bridging pad, said left bridging pad linear segmenthaving a first end attached to the left rear horn pad near an inner edgeof the left rear horn pad and a second end attached to the left rearhorn pad near the inner edge of the left rear horn pad but fartherforward than a location where the first end of said left bridging padlinear segment is attached to the left rear horn pad; a left side headpad linear segment of protective material commencing near a rear of theleft side head pad, running transversely under the lower portion of saidleft horn pad linear segment, being attached to the outer surface of theleft side head pad, and running longitudinally from near a lower edge ofthe left side head pad to near an upper edge of the left side head pad;a left guide of protective material extending—on an outer surface ofsaid left side head pad linear segment—from below the upper edge of theleft side head pad to above the lower edge of the left side head pad,having a first edge connected to said left side head pad linear segment,and having a second edge attached to the outer surface of said left sidehead pad linear segment underneath the lower portion of said left hornpad linear segment; a right horn pad linear segment of protectivematerial, said right horn pad linear segment having a lower portionbeginning near a lower edge of the right side head pad, said right hornpad linear segment being attached to an outer surface of the right sidehead pad, said right horn pad linear segment continuing along and beingattached to an outer surface of the right rear horn pad, and said righthorn pad linear segment proceeding past a free end of the right rearhorn pad until a free end of said right horn pad linear segment isconnected to the lower portion of said right horn pad linear segment; aright bridging pad linear segment of protective material attached to anouter surface of the right bridging pad, said right bridging pad linearsegment having a first end attached to the right rear horn pad near aninner edge of the right rear horn pad and a second end attached to theright rear horn pad near the inner edge of the right rear horn pad butfarther forward than a location where the first end of said rightbridging pad linear segment is attached to the right rear horn pad; aright side head pad linear segment of protective material commencingnear a rear of the right side head pad, running transversely under thelower portion of said right horn pad linear segment, being attached tothe outer surface of the right side head pad, and running longitudinallyfrom near a lower edge of the right side head pad to near an upper edgeof the right side head pad; a right guide of protective materialextending—on an outer surface of said right side head pad linearsegment—from below the upper edge of the right side head pad to abovethe lower edge of the right side head pad, having a first edge connectedto said right side head pad linear segment, and having a second edgeattached to the outer surface of said right side head pad linear segmentunderneath the lower portion of said right horn pad linear segment; abuckle attached to the right rear horn pad near an uppermost point ofthe right rear horn pad; a first end of a strap connected to the leftrear horn pad near an uppermost point of the left rear horn pad; a leftinternal shield placed between said left horn pad linear segment and theleft rear horn pad, beginning near a point where the bent left rear hornpad extends downward past the upper edge of the left side head pad andthen proceeding downward; a right internal shield placed between saidright horn pad linear segment and the right rear horn pad, beginningnear a point where the bent right rear horn pad extends downward pastthe upper edge of the right side head pad and then proceeding downward;a left segment of stretch webbing material inserted between the free endof said left horn pad linear segment and the lower portion of said lefthorn pad linear segment by having a first end of said left segment ofstretch webbing material attached to the free end of said left horn padlinear segment and having a second end of said left segment of stretchwebbing material attached to the lower portion of said left horn padlinear segment; and a right segment of stretch webbing material insertedbetween the free end of said right horn pad linear segment and the lowerportion of said right horn pad linear segment by having a first end ofsaid right segment of stretch webbing material attached to the free endof said right horn pad linear segment and having a second end of saidright segment of stretch webbing material attached to the lower portionof said right horn pad linear segment.